As a man with two Premier League titles and three FA Cups to his name, not to mention status as one of Arsenal’s hallowed ‘Invincibles’, Lauren knows his onions when it comes to defending.
Converted by Arsene Wenger and Pat Rice from a midfielder into a marauding right-back, he usurped the great Lee Dixon in the early noughties and went on to make 241 appearances for the Gunners over the course of six years.
He also enjoyed a scrap, kicking the crap out of Ronaldo and scoring penalties against Spurs…all of which we at Arseblog News applaud wholeheartedly.
Now the former Cameroon international believes Hector Bellerin can be the best Arsenal right-back of them all.
“Bellerín is very, very good,” he told the Guardian’s Sid Lowe in an excellent and wide-ranging interview.
“He’s good with the ball at his feet, reads the game, gets beyond defences, crosses well, plays between the lines. And he’s so young – if he stays injury-free he’ll surpass me, Lee Dixon, Pat Rice, everyone who’s played there.”
Given Dixon made 619 appearances and Rice played 528 for the Gunners, it’s a big ask. That said, the young Spaniard is already on the cusp of his century (he’s currently on 94 appearances) and he’s just signed a new contract tying him down until 2023 so it’s not impossible.
Lauren also had positive things to say about the squad as a whole and bigged up the quality of Alexis Sanchez, whose mentality he thinks would have fit nicely with the ‘Invincibles’.
“The squad is better every year; I don’t remember one this strong for a long time. In defence, we’ve signed well with Mustafi; in attack with Lucas, in midfield with Xhaka.
“I look now and it’s not just the XI; players can come on and make an impact. Iwobi, Lucas Pérez, [who] I like a lot, Oxlade. Walcott’s showing more.
He added: “Alexis [Sánchez] would fit perfectly [with the Invincibles]. Because of his talent but also his mentality.
“The club have reached the point where they should keep their best players to aspire to more. It’s been a club that sells its best for years [and] there were economic needs, but not any more.”
You can read the full interview with Ralph, here. It’s well worth 10 minutes of your time.
Amazingly he’s only 20yrs.
Wenger is reaping benefit from younger players better with the current set up.
Iwobi, Maitland NIles, the Jeff and lets not forget Holding whom he bought for 2m quid when the media were besotted with Stones and his 47m price tag.
And they say Wenger doesn’t know how to buy in market or develop players anymore.:D
Xhaka
High praise, we’ve had some great right-backs.
Fantastic interview with Lauren, bright bloke and did a lot in the game.
Highly developed and well articulated views that many should hear
Lauren is a king. I think Bellerin can be the best ever premier league right back. He’s already the best in the league.. maybe the world? Can’t think of too many ahead of him other than Lahm but he’s getting on a bit now.
Lauren was awesome as a player. Arsenal have always had great right backs.
What a great man Lauren is. I hope he continues to share his wisdom and knowledge for many years to come. A perfect ambassador for our club, and football in general.
Just take a moment to appreciate the fantastic players we’ve had at right back in recent years: From Dixon to Lauren to Sagna and now Bellerin. We truly have been spoiled.
10/10 the crowd who get up and applaud the tackle
Cracking tackle by Lauren.
Not sure who I’d pick from Lauren, Bellerin, Dixon or Eboue ?